Thursday, January 21, 2010

Reviews at the Opera: Madame Butterfly

By Jeff Bridges

Giacomo Puccini is the original writer of the popular opera Madame Butterfly. If you attend this dazzling opera we recommend bringing a pair of opera glasses to enjoy it to the fullest extent. And we will tell you why.

Madame Butterfly is set in Nagasaki Japan, at the top of the hill one of our main characters, a United States Naval Officer named Pinkerton is inspecting a beautiful house with a wonderful view of the bay down below with a marriage broker by the name of Goro. Pinkerton is inspecting the home for him and his bride to be, Madame Butterfly. Upon finishing the inspection of the home, Pinkerton agrees to buy the home for 999 years, although he holds the right to cancel the agreement of the purchase during any month

The wedding ceremony is soon to take place between Pinkerton and Butterfly. A lot of Butterfly's relatives will be flying in and coming to the wedding. Butterfly's uncle will not attend the wedding as he is a priest.

The Officer is to marry Butterfly, but does not plan on this as being a lasting marriage. His ambition is to gain the love from every beautiful woman that he meets. Although he did agree to buy the house for 999 years, he chose retain the right to cancel, to be able to leave the home, and the marriage. At this point of the opera, you are about to meet the beautiful Butterfly. Be prepared to use your opera glasses to see her charm and beauty.

Before you get to see Butterfly's beauty, one final part of the opera plays through. The American Consul, who is with Pinkerton, asks him if he loves Madame Butterfly. A yes will not come out of the mouth of Pinkerton, nor could it, for Pinkerton, is simply infatuated with Butterfly's innocence, beauty and charm. He does not love her. Pinkerton then begins to speak of one day having an American woman to wed.

Butterfly finally graces the stage. The wedding of the Officer and Butterfly begins, as Butterfly's family looks on. After the wedding has taken place, we find Butterfly's uncle has broken into the party, he has found out that Butterfly has abandoned her own religion for Pinkerton's by marrying him. Butterfly is crushed, but is consoled by her unloving husband Pinkerton.

Months and weeks pass Butterfly and Pinkerton stay happily married, Butterfly is beyond content, nearly exploding with joy with the marriage to the man that she loves so much. One day Pinkerton finds that he must leave to fulfill his service as a naval officer, and tells Butterfly that he will soon return.

As act three begins, we come to know that three years have passed since Pinkerton walked out the door for the last time. Butterfly faithfully watches out the window each day to see if his ship will come in. One day as she is watching out the window, she sees a figure that she recognizes walking up the path. No it is not Pinkerton coming up the path, but his good friend that she has known from the beginning as his friend the American Consul. She greets him excitedly hoping that he brings news from her husband. Unknown to Butterfly, the American Consul has been sent to her by Pinkerton to tell her that he has married an American woman named Kate, and that he would not be returning to her ever. Broken hearted, the American Consul Curses Pinkerton, and gives the news so hard to bear.

Butterfly weeps as she hears the story of betrayal and leaves the room distraught. After a short moment she returns carrying a child, and reveals to the American Consul that it is Pinkerton's. She exclaims with all her heart that her husband could not possibly leave her wife and child for another. After further conversation with the Consul, she accepts that her husband was never truly hers.

There is one final chapter to be played out in Madame Butterfly, but as always you must attend to see the end. This opera is truly amazing, and a wonder to behold, this is a performance that will try dazzle your senses, amazing costumes, wonderful music, and a story line to thrill. Remember to bring your opera glasses so that you can really enjoy this performance. This is a show that cannot be forgotten.

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